Global Competition for STEM Talent Intensifies as One in Three Professionals Targeted for Overseas Roles
More than one in three professionals working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) have been approached by rival companies about overseas job opportunities, highlighting an intensifying global battle for high-skilled talent, according to a new international survey by SThree.
The findings, published in the company’s STEM Workforce Report, show that 35% of STEM workers across six major economies were contacted about international roles in the past year, as companies and governments alike compete to secure scarce expertise in strategic sectors.
The report covers the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates — which together account for roughly half of global research and development spending and international patent filings. The survey was conducted in July and August 2025 and included 5,391 adults.
SThree chief executive Timo Lehne said governments and corporations are increasingly betting on scientific and technical talent to drive economic growth, leading to large-scale global movement of highly skilled professionals.
All the major STEM nations are betting on scientists, engineers, innovators and technologists to power their economies. This is resulting in huge movements of people, mostly top technical talent attracted to roles in developed STEM economies,” Lehne said.
Sharp differences between countries
The scale of overseas recruitment varies widely by country. The UAE sits at the top of the list, with 56% of STEM professionals approached about international roles, while Japan is at the other extreme, with just 5%.
In Europe, the figures cluster closer to the global average: the Netherlands leads at 44%, followed by Germany at 37%. In the UK, 31% of STEM workers said they had been contacted about overseas opportunities in the previous 12 months.
The report links the growing competition for scientists, engineers and technologists to the rise of protectionist trade and industrial policies worldwide, which are driving heavy public investment in technology and innovation.
One in five planning to move abroad
Mobility intentions are also rising sharply. One in five STEM professionals globally (19%) say they plan to move abroad within the next year or are already in the process of doing so — a figure that suggests as much as 11% of the global STEM workforce could be on the move through late 2025 and into 2026.
The UAE again leads at 34%, followed by the Netherlands at 30%. Germany stands at 22%, while the UK records 13%.
Among those planning to relocate, more than half (57%) have already accepted new roles, pointing to a wave of near-term migration rather than long-term intentions alone.
Why they are moving
While higher salaries remain a major factor, quality of life is now the leading driver. Globally, 32% of respondents cited better quality of life as a key reason for relocating — rising to 44% in the UK, suggesting growing dissatisfaction with lifestyle conditions at home.
Financial incentives were cited by 31% of respondents worldwide, reflecting continued pressure from inflation and cost-of-living challenges. In the UAE (39%) and the UK (38%), better pay was the most common motivator.
Work-life balance ranked as the third most important factor, with the UK again topping the list at 33%.
“STEM professionals are moving not only for higher pay, but also for quality of life, career development, and balance,” Lehne said. “Competitiveness is no longer just about salaries — it’s about creating the conditions where people want to build their futures.”
Global talent flows
The report maps increasingly complex migration patterns. Talent from the UAE is flowing mainly toward Europe, the UK and North America. UK-based STEM professionals are looking toward Europe, Australia and the US, while American workers are exploring opportunities in Europe, the UK and Canada.
Germany is already seeing tangible impacts: 39% of STEM leaders there reported losing staff to overseas markets in the past year, with the US, Switzerland and Canada the top destinations.
For those heading to the US, the main attractions are higher salaries and access to career and research opportunities, particularly in IT and technology. Switzerland is drawing talent with competitive pay and the strength of its pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
